The Interrelationship Between Folk Music and Classical Music – Future Possibilities

Folk Music and Its Roots in Daily Life
Folk music, as the name suggests, is deeply connected to the daily life and activities of common people. It has always been associated with rural traditions, community living, and seasonal celebrations—such as sowing and harvesting crops, childbirth, wedding ceremonies, and other social events. These are universal experiences that take place in every society, and folk music is their natural expression.

The question arises—why did folk music and dance originate, and what is their purpose? Science has proven that music and dance play a vital role in reducing mental stress and pressure. When people engage in collective, labor-intensive work, singing a few lines or performing simple rhythmic movements makes the task lighter, more joyful, and less exhausting. In folk culture, there are songs even for sowing and harvesting, and even for activities like grinding grain, where women sing together to ease the workload. Thus, folk music is directly tied to daily life, serving both as a relief from stress and as a source of entertainment.

Folk vs. Classical Music

Folk music and dance have no strict rules, theories, or codified boundaries. They are spontaneous expressions of emotions and sounds that emerge naturally from communities during festivals, rituals, and social gatherings. Every region has its own unique flavor of folk art.

Over time, some elements of these folk traditions reached educated, urban societies. They were then systematized,chanellized, given theoretical frameworks, and organized into structured art forms. The elements that seemed more appealing, refined, and spiritually uplifting were absorbed and developed into what we now know as classical music and dance.

In essence, both folk and classical traditions originate from the same roots in rural life. What remained raw, unrestricted, and community-centered became folk art, while what was codified with rules and refined within educated circles became classical art.

Preservation and the Role of Institutions
In ancient times, kings and rulers were responsible for preserving and promoting various art forms. Today, this responsibility lies with the government, which must safeguard these cultural treasures as a source of pride and identity.

It has become essential to include music and dance in school curricula so that students can engage with these art forms from an early age. Doing so not only expands the scope of classical music and dance but also opens opportunities for careers in this field. With music and dance included in the curriculum, the demand for trained music and dance teachers becomes just as important as that for science teachers.

In Bihar, remarkable steps have been taken in this direction. Through the BPSC (Bihar Public Service Commission), qualified music and dance teachers have been appointed in government schools with good salaries. Colleges also offer courses in music, dance, and instrumental studies, with dedicated professors in place. While this may not fully address livelihood concerns for artists, it significantly contributes to preserving the beauty, simplicity, and originality of these art forms. Small and large cultural institutions, along with artists, must also play their part in strengthening this heritage.

Classical Dance in Indian Cinema
Indian cinema has also witnessed a powerful revival of Kathak dance. Initially, Bollywood often depicted Kathak only in the context of courtesans, while Bharatanatyam dominated as the representative of classical dance. The late Pandit Birju Maharaj played a key role in reshaping and reintroducing Kathak into mainstream cinema. Through his creativity, Kathak was simplified yet beautified, making it widely appealing. As a result, Kathak has once again captured attention on the big screen and continues to gain popularity among audiences.